Just then,

"Huh? My phone?"

A voice suddenly came from the doorway.

"Yes, it seems to be a call from Ryuto's sister," Anna answered as she turned around.

"Huh? Is it Asuka?"

Upon hearing this, a look of panic appeared on Ryuto's face.

"?"

Anna looked puzzled at his reaction.

However...

"Huh? It's the idiot brother's voice. Hey, you idiot brother, are you standing right there? Hurry up and answer the phone."

A roar came through the phone.

Ryuto, feeling somewhat helpless, touched his forehead and finally walked over with a face of tragic resignation.

"Just give me the phone first."

"Okay."

After taking the phone,

"Hello, hello, who is this? This is Amagi Ryuto's phone."

"You idiot brother, who is this? Stop pretending, remember this well, expect a beating when you come back."

He was immediately scolded.

Although the other party could be heard cursing almost loudly, Ryuto wasn't angry. Instead, he humbly said in a low voice,

"Oh, it's Miss Asuka, what can I do for you?"

"What's the matter? You idiot brother, where were you this morning? You disappeared for half a day."

"Oh, I just went for a walk outside."

"Went for a walk? Are you trying to deceive me, you idiot brother? Who was that woman just now?"

He was immediately questioned.

Wait, wasn't he saying he went for a walk just now? How did the topic suddenly change like this, the leap in conversation is too...

"Huh? That person? Just someone I know."

"Someone you know? Are you itching for trouble, you idiot brother? It seems like I've been too kind to you recently."

"No, no, what are you saying? How could I be itching for trouble? By the way, Miss Asuka, you haven't been as nice to me lately, isn't it different from before?"

"Hmm?"

Ryuto quickly changed his tune.

"No, it has indeed been better recently, much better than before. It's a good thing, signifying progress, but the answer remains the same. My skin is not itching now, so please don't bother caring about it, Miss Asuka."

"Oh... not itching? Why do I feel like your skin is itching, you idiot brother?"

"Huh? Really? Why think so? It must be your imagination."

"Hmm?"

"No, it's my imagination. How could Miss Asuka have such an idea? It's absurd. But to be honest, my skin really isn't itching now. It's the truth, absolutely, couldn't be truer, it's the ultimate truth in this world."

"Oh... really?"

Asuka's voice sounded skeptical over the phone.

"Yes, please believe it."

"Well, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt... No, wait, almost fell for your deception, you idiot brother. You haven't answered yet, who is that woman?"

"...Just a regular friend."

"Ha? Friend? Don't make me laugh. You, idiot brother, having a friend?"

Even if it's said directly to the person themselves, it can still hurt. But on second thought, there doesn't seem to be a strong argument against it, after all, what the other party said is true...

Why does it feel so pitiful? No, not just pitiful, it's quite pitiful.